The psychology Honours specialisation is intended for students who have successfully completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology, and are interested in undertaking independent psychological research. The honours specialisation is usually taken full time for two consecutive semesters and includes research training, in-depth analysis of current concepts in psychology as well as a substantial research project culminating in the production of a thesis. Honours is a solid foundation in the basics of research and can be an entry into many careers both within and outside of psychology, and a pathway to the profession of clinical psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation of a chosen research topic to generate new knowledge in psychology.
2.  Systematically evaluate relevant theory, concepts and practice in psychology, relate these to appropriate research and applied methodologies and evidence, including in relation to cross-cultural perspectives, and draw appropriate conclusions.
3. Demonstrate sufficient mastery to understand and apply relevant experimental techniques and methods in psychology to collect original research data, and to analyse and interpret original psychological research data with statistical or other analytical methods where appropriate.
4. Describe evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches, including cultural considerations such as when working with Indigenous Australians. 
5. Communicate and justify complex theoretical concepts and empirical results clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
6. Demonstrate a range of interpersonal skills including active listening, effective questioning, building rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.

Research-Led Teaching

PSYC4011 is an Honours Year with a Psychology Specialisation. A full-time load is over two semesters.

Students undertake a research project under the supervision of an academic from the School of Medicine and Psychology.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

For approved dictionaries in accordance with ANU Policies, please see link http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/assessment-arrangements-for-students-from-language

Required Resources

N/A

Recommended Resources

The Honours in Psychology Program Guide 2024 is available on the PSYC4011 Wattle site.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scans for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g., headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband is recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi, then check that the performance is adequate
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment.

For more information please see link https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• examination results
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group, etc.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The Honours year commences on Monday 29 January 2024. The standard pattern of enrolment for a full-time student is 24 units x 2 consecutive semesters.	This summary provides general information for a student enrolling in this course for the first time. The date ranges provided are a general indication only for a student commencing and submitting their research project in the same academic year. Where a student is enrolling in this course part-time, the final thesis due dates align with the College submissions dates for the last semester of expected enrolment and can be confirmed with the Student Administration Office <students.chm@anu.edu.au>.
2	The focus of Honours will be on completing a research thesis and coursework. The research thesis is undertaken throughout the year, and there will be milestones to complete during the year. The coursework components are undertaken in Semester 1 and Semester 2.	Full details of milestones and assessment requirements will be provided at the beginning of Semester 1, in the 'Honours in Psychology Program Guide 2024'.Thesis Submission date is Thursday 24 October 2024 at 5pm.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Research Thesis: 8,000 to 10,000 Word Research Thesis (50%) -- Semesters 1 and 2	50 %	24/10/2024	1,2,3,5,6
Psychological Research Methods & Statistics: Quizzes (4%); Statistics Assignment (48%); Final Examination (48%) -- Semester 1	25 %	*	3,5
Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention: Weekly Quizzes (30%); Tutorial Activity Portfolio (30%); Written Report (40%) -- Semester 2	25 %	*	2,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Honours students will enrol in PSYC4011 for 48 units across two consecutive semesters (full-time enrolment) or 48 units across four semesters (part-time enrolment).

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester per 6 units of enrolment.

Examination(s)

The final exam for Psychological Research Methods & Statistics has a hurdle requirement. A Pass mark (50% or greater) is required in the final exam before the course can be passed as a whole.

To confirm the date, time, and location of the Psychological Research Methods & Statistic examination, please check the ANU Examination Timetable, go to www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable

Assessment Task 1

Research Thesis: 8,000 to 10,000 Word Research Thesis (50%) -- Semesters 1 and 2

Research Thesis students will:

• Attend weekly meetings with their Research Thesis Supervisor;
• Engage In-Person in 2-hour monthly workshops on thesis writing skills.

The Research Thesis will take the form of a scientific research paper (8,000 to 10,000 words), consisting of Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References.

The Research Thesis Assessment Criteria include:

• Review of relevant research: a statement of the problem and its justification in the light of previous theory or applied importance, and previous research.
• Competence and sophistication of research design and choice of methods and operationalisation, such as skills in design of measurement, equipment, or selection of subjects.
• Competence in data analysis, and presentation of results.
• Ability to relate results to previous research, to discuss their theoretical significance, and to suggest possibilities for further research.
• Structure of the argument, clarity and elegance of expression, and adherence to APA 7 guidelines.

The research thesis submission date is 24 October 2024. Please see the 'Honours in Psychology Program Guide 2024' for further details.

The date ranges used in the Assessment Summary are indicative and will vary if the project is completed in accordance with a full-time load (48 units taken over 2 consecutive semesters of enrolment) or a part-time load (48 units taken over 4 consecutive semesters of enrolment).

Assessment Task 2

Psychological Research Methods & Statistics: Quizzes (4%); Statistics Assignment (48%); Final Examination (48%) -- Semester 1

Psychological Research Methods & Statistics students will:

• Engage In-Person in 2-hour workshops for 10 weeks of the semester (2 x 10 = 20 hours of face-to-face contact);
• Complete 12-online modules (combinations of video lectures and problem sets) that will take a total of 2 to 3 hours each (roughly 60-90 minutes of video content and 60-90 minutes of practice problems).

Psychological Research Methods & Statistics Assessments include:

• Quizzes (4%): Students will gain familiarity with methods outside the standard curriculum, which may be relevant to their specific Honours research projects. Students choose to watch 2 of 12 videos on additional statistical topics. Each video will be followed by a quiz, which will be marked for participation.
• Statistics Assignment (48%): This assignment will assess students’ ability to apply statistical concepts to authentic problems. Students complete a problem set where they analyse three datasets and write up reports justifying their analytic approach and summarize their conclusions. One of these data sets will explicitly focus on cross-cultural differences.
• Final Examination (48%): The final examination (multiple-choice and short-answer questions) will assess students’ mastery of the concepts and procedures of statistics.

Assessment Task 3

Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention: Weekly Quizzes (30%); Tutorial Activity Portfolio (30%); Written Report (40%) -- Semester 2

Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention students will:

• Engage In-person in 3-hour workshops or tutorials for 12 weeks of the semester (with the workshops and tutorials alternating each week across the 12-weeks = 3 x 12 = 36 hours of face-to-face contact).

Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention Assessments include: 

• Quizzes (30%; 5% x 6 weeks): The open-book quizzes cover the set readings for the week and the workshop content. The purpose of the quizzes is to consolidate student learning across the weekly readings and workshop content. To perform well on this task, students will need to demonstrate a critical understanding of reading and workshop content (through their responses to multiple-choice questions).
• Tutorial Activity Portfolio (30%; 5% x 6 weeks): Each week’s tutorial includes a key activity, such as practising core skills in psychological assessment, interviewing and intervention. The tutorial portfolio activities assess knowledge and application of different course content areas each week. The marking rubric for the Tutorial Activity Portfolio emphasises that to do well on this assessment task, students need to: (1) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for the skill or activity that they are practicing in the tutorial (e.g., reasons why exposure therapy may be important for the reduction of fear) and (2) Demonstrate an understanding of the tutorial group discussions following the tutorial activity by responding to brief question prompts provided by the tutor (e.g., When might the approach best be used? What are some important considerations when applying the task?).
• Final 2500-Word Written Report (40%): There is a new topic for the final written report each year, with specific details including a marking rubric provided at the beginning of the course. This assessment task allows students to integrate their learning across the workshop content and required readings, by asking them to prepare a proposal for an intervention program. This task not only draws on students’ knowledge of evidence-based practice and intervention approaches and on the ways in which interventions may need to be modified for diverse client populations, but it also requires students to write persuasively and succinctly for a non-technical audience.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignments. Please keep a copy of the assignments for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin (or Ithenticate, when advised).

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand-written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Extension Request Form can be found here: Extension Request Form

• Late submission of assessment tasks without an approved extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof.
• Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days from the due date.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Please check the PSYC4011 Wattle site for further details.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Please check the PSYC4011 Wattle site for further details.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students